Punishment for cancelling a free cruise?

[GUEST71919]

I’ve got another email with an offer for a free cabin on an upcoming cruise (not a certificate).  I am trying to figure out how I could possibly swing goIng because my husband is just not going to be able to go and I’m not sure if one of my friends or sisters may be able to (although I think only the sister who is an MD in FL might be able to manage it).  While I could go alone, that isn’t really my thing. 😕

 

My question is: What if I book this cruise and then no one can’t shake loose at work and I cancel? I just don’t want to be punished by RCL or by Casino Royale for canceling and taking that slot.  I certainly don’t want to diminish my chances of them sending me free offers like this in the future (since those could arrive when DH and I are both available)!  So I’m just trying to decide whether I should go ahead and book a cabin knowing there’s a 50% chance that I will need to cancel.  Knowing the likelihood of them punishing me for a cancellation (by not sending more) is a big part of me being able to do that calculation. Thanks!

 

 

[Wally Alligator]

I had a Canada / New England booked for Fall 2017 that was an earned comp.  I cancelled 2 days before the sailing (Hurricane Irma closed the airport here in Tampa).  We received port fees, taxes, excursions, etc. refunded.  No losses or decreases in casino offers resulted from this cancellation but I did not get a chance to rebook the comp.  Loosing the comp turned out to not be a big deal as the casino sends comp offers practically monthly and I just grabbed one of them for our next sailing.

George

[GUEST71919]

2 hours ago, Wally Alligator said:

I had a Canada / New England booked for Fall 2017 that was an earned comp.  I cancelled 2 days before the sailing (Hurricane Irma closed the airport here in Tampa).  We received port fees, taxes, excursions, etc. refunded.  No losses or decreases in casino offers resulted from this cancellation but I did not get a chance to rebook the comp.  Loosing the comp turned out to not be a big deal as the casino sends comp offers practically monthly and I just grabbed one of them for our next sailing.

George

 

Thanks for that info George. This would have been on the Empress (I think some Majesty sailings were also part of the original offer). Those interior cabins get some horrible reviews and it sounds like they might be too small for 2 person comfort to any real degree. While I suppose I could go alone and spend days just randomly roaming and hitting the casino, that doesn’t sound like it would be worth losing a week’s income! Maybe next time it will be more workable.

[lazydayz]

We have cancelled several casino comped cruises. RC is very flexible about it. They often work with me to see if there is another cruise they can book me on. 

 

As to the small cabins, you can always ask them what the price to upgrade would be.  We have gotten some great deals that way.  Sometimes, the price is too high so we pass on the upgrade. 

[gkbiiii]

You would have to upgrade to JR Suite for any more room.

[lazydayz]

9 minutes ago, gkbiiii said:

You would have to upgrade to JR Suite for any more room.

 

Doesn’t the Majesty have Superior Oceanviews, I think on Deck 9?  Back when we used to cruise on her, that is what we would book.  After staying in a regular OV in Majesty, we said never again. Found the Superior OVs, which are much like a standard OV on newer ships. 

[gkbiiii]

9 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

 

Doesn’t the Majesty have Superior Oceanviews, I think on Deck 9?  Back when we used to cruise on her, that is what we would book.  After staying in a regular OV in Majesty, we said never again. Found the Superior OVs, which are much like a standard OV on newer ships. 

Yea I just got back from Majesty today and stayed on the large 2M staterooms on 9 Deck.  I thought you meant Empress.

[lazydayz]

2 minutes ago, gkbiiii said:

Yea I just got back from Majesty today and stayed on the large 2M staterooms on 9 Deck.  I thought you meant Empress.

 

Understood. OP mentioned both Empress and Majesty. Between those two, I would pick Majesty and the Superior OV. Love how quiet that part of the ship is. 

[GUEST71919]

The original offer was for both ships (a 3rd as well, I don’t now recall). We just didn’t have the extra time, but they send yet another email with only Empress cruises and I though maybe I could find the time. Since those cruiser weren’t even showing up on the RCL site my guess was there was zip left but the smallest cabins in the worst locations. But I was flirting for a short time with the possibility.

 

Now had an upgrade been available that would be great, but then I might also be on the hook for some deposit? Maybe the next offer... I hope so!  But now I have the bug - I would go to Tunica, but the thought of driving 6 hours...😳

Edited July 13, 2019 by 2Beeze

[Knighton]

Good to know Royal is better about cancellations.  I had to cancel a casino rate cruise on Carnival and lost the deposit, which is nonrefundable on casino rates.